WINDSOR, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 27, 2007) - Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton says the NDP would end the threat to public health care in Ontario. Speaking to enthusiastic CUPE health-care workers and joined by Windsor NDP candidates, Hampton said the NDP's fair and balanced approach would mean more money to improve public health care.

"Dalton McGuinty says he needs to keep his unfair health tax to pay for public health care. Well the NDP has a better way, one that doesn't hurt working families and will improve public health care, not move towards privatization like Mr. McGuinty has done," said Hampton.

As part of a balanced approach, Hampton would put money back into the pockets of 75 per cent of Ontario's working families with a health tax rebate of up to $450 per person and $900 per two-income family. The NDP would raise hundreds of millions of additional revenue by making sure banks, insurance companies and the most well-off pay their fair share. The NDP's fair approach would result in more money flowing into public health care.

"Dalton McGuinty has no interest in balance or in making CEO's and corporations pay their fair share. New Democrats do," said Hampton.

While Dalton McGuinty has increased the privatization of Ontario's health system, the NDP is committed to improving quality and access to public health care by:

- Guaranteeing minimum care for our seniors,

- Increasing the number of long-term care beds,

- Reducing hospital and emergency room wait times,

- Re-listing services like eye exams, physiotherapy and chiropractic care so patients would no longer need to pay out-of-pocket for much-needed health care services; and

- A health tax rebate that treats working families fairly.

"Dalton McGuinty and John Tory are threats to public health care," said Hampton. "The NDP's plan will put more money into the health services working families need, unlike Dalton McGuinty's plan which costs working families more money but leads only to delisting, doctor shortages, and long ER waits."